Circulating swabs for wells



March 4, 1958 A. KELTNER GIRQULATING swABs FOR WELLS 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled 00T'. 29. 1953 lli ATTORNEYS United States Patent CIRCULA'HNGSWABS FOR WELLS Amos Lea Keltner, Phoenix, Ariz.

Application October 29, 1953, Serial No. 389,072

11 Claims. (Cl. 16S-177) This invention relates to a circulating swabfor wells, and more particularly water wells, for example those used assources for irrigating water, although the invention is also applicableto oil wells, as further referred to below.

As is well known, water wells frequently become clogged adjacent thewell casings, for example through the packing of sand and the like, thusmaterially reducing the flow of water into the casing and reducing thetotal supply of water available. Many methods have been proposed anddevised to take care of this situation for the purpose of loosening orremoving the packed material which interferes with the flow of water.Such prior methods and apparatus, however, have not been particularlyeffective, and certainly not as elective as is desirable.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel typeof swab through the operation of which sands and other iine materialstending to choke the supply of water into the well casing can be brokenloose and removed, thus conditioning the well by cleaning the bodies ofcoarser materials around the well casing, such as gravel and the like,through which the water readily may flow into the well casing.

A further object is to provide a novel type of crculating swab throughthe use of which water inwardly and outwardly of the casing iscirculated to cause a more eective opening of the perforations in thewell casing and the flowing of sand into the bottom of the well casingfrom which it may be more readily removed, thus leaving the well inimproved condition for the substantially uninterrupted ow of water intothe well casing.

' A further object is to provide a well swab wherein novel elementscarried by the swab itself cooperate with the well casing to cause amore effective circulation of the water through the perforations in thewell casing and through the materials surrounding the well casing tocause an opening of the pores in the surrounding material by the removalof line packing materials such as sand and the like.

A further object is to provide such a swab of novel constructionemploying resilient means operating inr combination with the well casingitself to eiect a transmission of water pressure to the well casingperforations to clean the latter and to effect a circulation of theWater around and through materials surrounding the well casing for a fargreater radius than has been possible with prior constructions, thusmaterially increasing the ow of water into the well casing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the drawing I have shown several embodiments of the invention. Inthis showing:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a well casingshowing some of the surrounding formations, with the operative portionsof the well swab within the casing, parts being shown in elevation,

Figure :2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of ice the same,showing the lowermost resilient swab element and the valve at the bottomof the swab structure,

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure l,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the swabstructure with a dry chemical container in position relative to one ofthe swab elements,

VFigure 5 is a detailed section on line 5 5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a wet chemical containerin the same relationship,

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view on line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detailed vertical sectional view through a modified typeof swab supporting means shown particularly for use with small borewells,

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view on line 9 9 of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a similar view on line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 10 designates aconventional4 well casing in position in the surrounding formations ofsand, gravel, etc., indicated by the numeral 11. The well casing 10 isperforated at longitudinally and circumferentially spaced points as at12 for the flow of water from the surrounding formations into the wellcasing, which water is removed with any desired type of pumpingapparatus.

The device forming the subject-matter of the present invention comprisesa swab body 14 in the form of a tube, the upper end of which is curvedinwardly as at 15 and is slotted as at 16 to receive and it a weldedshank 17 the upper end of which is bolted as at 13 to a pull rod 19. Therod 19 is adapted for suitable connection with conventional jars andwire line as will become apparent. Near its upper end, the tubular body14 is provided with a fishing tool lug 20 of any desired type.

At spaced points therealong, the tubular body 14 is provided with aplurality of longitudinally spaced resilient swabs 21, 22, 23 and 24each of which is thickened at its peripheral edge portion as at 25, andsuch por tion of the swab is slightly spaced from the well Ycasing as'shown in Figure 1. Above the swab 21 is arranged a positioning disc 26welded to the tubular body 14 and against the bottom of which the swabelement 21 seats. A relatively large washer 27 seats against the bottomof each of the swabs 21, 22, 23 and 24, and plates or discs 28 similarto the disc 26 are seated above the swabs 22, 23 and 24, and theseplates may be somewhat thinner than the plate 26 since the latter formsa postive stop welded to the tube 14. Beneath each plate 27 is arrangeda lower disc 30 and such disc of the lowermost swab element 24 seatsagainst the upper end of the sleeve 31 threaded on the lower end of thetubular body 14 for a purpose to be described. Between adjacent pairs ofthe swab elements are arranged compression springs 32 which exert theirforce throughout the distance between the uppermost swab 21 andlowermost swab 24. The spring maintains the plate 30 of the lowermostswab engaged with the top of the sleeve 31, while the uppermost swab 21is prevented from moving upwardly by the plate 26 welded to the body 14.

iIt will be apparent from the foregoing that the intermediate swabs 22and 23 may move vertically in either direction under the influence ofpressures to which they are subjected, while the lowermost swab 24 maymove upwardly from the position shown in Figure l. It also will beapparent that the peripheral portions of the swab elements may exupwardly `more readily than downwardly because of the larger plates 27arranged therebeneath. Above the uppermost swab element 21, divergt ingtubes 35 are weldedor otherwise secured to and communicate 'with theinterior of the tubular body 14 for `the' downward flow 'of waterfromupper lpartvofotheVV n well casing Yinto the tubular body 14.Y To-oppositesides of each tubular member 35 are welded retaining plates736,' these plates also being welded tothe tubularbody 14.

Y TheV plates 36 not onlyserve rigidlyrl'tox'thetubular Y will becomemore apparent belovwf Y vndernbe'ijs"35 in position ibut eachYY pairof'plaftesl-S )co-V operates with the-body ,-14 and associatedtubula'r'member-35 to form a pocket 37 in which can settle samples lofprojection of water at relatively high velocity .outwardlyY from :thetubular lbrodyrr14 into 4the pockets 41-between 4adjacent vpairs 1 ofvswab element-s,V the purpose -otwhich Asfmore clearly shown-'in Figure12,"the sleeve is e Y upperV portion79 increasing in diameter upwardlylso asf to provide an open inverted frusto-conical construction aboveYwhich is arranged 'thetttube V80 adapted for con- V Vnectiron with thejars and ,line wire in any .suitable manner,

for example as fully* disclosed in conjunction i with thei l lli case,aV tubular body 78-is vemployed in place of'theY vpreviouslyV describedYbody l14.7` The diverging tubular -members 35 cannot heA usedin thesmaller wellfand accordingly a modified type of water inlet for theupper s Y Y 'end ofthe swab bodyfis provided; The body 78 hasit's form0f the formrof vthe YirmaltQ11YpinV Eieure `1. The

tubular :member Y8l) is 'substantially smaller infdiameter than -theupper Yend of the Vvbody portion 79 and projects downwardly into thelat-ten Tube/,8G -is fixed with re- Y yspect to the body portion `7,9 byradial' connecting vplates".V

81 welded in position and dening with the members 79 and 89 a pluralityof liquid inlet openingsy 82 (Figure 9). Y u

Whereas r`the pockets 37 in Figure Vl'formrmeansV for Ycollectingfformation samples from the `wel'l,"this'=isgnot providedtherein with an annularY valve` seat 42 fthe upper extremity goff'w'hich:tapers upwardlj1V substantially Vto a knifeY edge.

Y it 'thegopen lower tend of the Ysleeve 31, ythroughtthe legs of 4 aspider VA13 IVcarriedby the casing '311 A guide 'fro'd 44 projectsthrough the center of rthespider 43 and is prof vided Eat ,its upper endwith a 'bead 45. ,A yvertically y Y Vslidablevalve 46 surrounds the stem44 andis adapted Y toengagethe valve seat 42 as-fshowniinigure '2. Abovethe -valve 46, whenthiselement is in closed position, the

i VYsleeve 3l is'jprovided'awith circumferentially'spaced Vand elongatedunloading-openings `47 for a purpose toY be de Y c 'Y )members 67inrzloselproximityrthereto.

"scribed, VAweig'ht sleeveor hammer 48Y slidablys'ur-p munds 'thesstem'44 above Y theV valve 246.(

Y 52. It will become apparent below that upon downward Ynovemenfof the:swab the sleeve 50 moves upwardly.

o Y When tbeswab is pulled upwardly, the sleeve 50 moves downwardly .andcloses the .openings .47. Dow'nward movement of :the member; 5.0 Vis.limited by a stop ring Y 53 Y(.'lfdguresnl andjZJicarrie'dzbythersleeve '31. Y Y Y fV In Figures 4 and'fS therelisillustrated acontainerifor Y dry chemicals-adapted to Abe iused in conjunction -with'theV operationlofthe swab. E1n VVthe embodimentV shown in Figurei, thechemical container fhasjbeen shown iin-con junction with the swabelement22,Y but it will become apparent thattit maybe nrsedwiththisor any lowerswab Y element Vorpany combination of :such elements,VV The-com `tanervisfindicaterl Yas, a whole by .the numeral-L55 and Y Y Y Vthedrynh'emieals and stiienedby vertical rib members 67 and byY :an annular.top cap member -surrounding Ythe :upper edgeoftthelbasket andfconliningthe-stiffen'ing The Vbasket substituted for the associateddisc '28.A

i Y 'In-Figures? 6 and7-there Ais :shown'amodied `type of chemicalfllolder, particularly for use with vwet chemicals.

Y Y In -formof theinvention, fthe .chemical Vholden-,indi-Y e j cated asa' whole fbyfthe numeral 172,-;comprses anim'- nerforate surrounding@entamer :aany ris', laes'olid bottom wal1174,1 andanf-inner 'annularlsleeve '75 #which `snugly' Y The .interiorof the .valve seat 142,Y'com-V mnnicates :with :the interior off-the well casingfthrough partlytorresfistance. encountered` bywater .engagingfthe bottom ofthe'surrounding chamber structure 51.' Y 'The Y Y Yopenings 47 are thenuncovered for'the scavenginggof any Y solid material from-within thesleeve 31 whichmjight Y otherwisev prevent theY seating yofrthe valver46wl'ler'11the.Y

'Substantial quantities of;wafterrofl course will'move upwardly throughsleeve I31 and through t the *interiorV Yof the tubular', .body-14 to lasubstantial' eX- Y Y tent above the swab structure,'depending upon thedepth;

ofthejwater. 'Y c c f The swab is 119W pulled ilpwardlyat a relativelyhigh I speed to a' pointsubstantially above'lthestati water level Yfurther Comprises'a :solidbottomfmember Aorgdise 69 c VVwhich :Seats.ongthe .adjacent swab:.element,VV and may ibefo possible :withvthe typeof; upper-swab body construction shown F-igrue.,Y As -a-substituteformation collecting Y V` means, the upper ye'x-trerm'ftyr of -thecylindrical-portion 78 of the fswab'Y-body is provided with an annularcup 83 Y Y fon-receiving formation Asamples which can be examinedwhenfthqswabis pulledfrom the well. Y 'Y Y Y j Operation e Y' lt will benoted that thegswabconstruction isiself- Vcontained 'without theprovision :of .any Surrounding Y cas` Y ing `elelntnts,`Y Therefore,thfelswab operates'diretly inf conjunction with the `well'casingitself,-bywhiehgreatlyV Vimprovedjresults' can be obtained.Y Y Y ,Y Y YY When a well is Vto ,be conditionerhsand Presentin like' lo bOttOm ofthe Ywellmaybe pumpedoutrwithrany Con- Vventional type of sand pump.VVThe presentswab'is thjenl loweredrinto the well and sinksginto thelwaterYtllrereiiji.

As Vthe swab sinks, the sleeve 50:,willV be movedtupwardly Y swab is tascending.

in the 'We'lLand "is ihrem-'Suddenly stopped .The yheavyColumnlofrgwater bengtpushedfahead 0f 'the swab 'is 1- lQWed 1.0i idrOP,.thus poundinglthe Vwell t9 fasslSjf in lQQSniueencrusfedfformationsinthe wellrcas'ingjrrf rationslZ. Y c

and "into l'the chambers 41. JAgitationxand v:pres'fslfire Vofeffectively 5in;'breakingincrustations` which Ehave formed The*operationsV referred to above are continu'ouejlyvre.- ci Y Ypeat'edover a substantial length :of 5tiling-and particular Y attentionis. linvitedoto the funetioningrtoffthe appara tu,s j Y Y f duringupward movement 4of 'therswabl `'With substan-` f Y tial ibody pfjwaterV`trapped between the swab elements Y and :toa substantial tfdeplthgthe'reabove, Vit will 'jbe vapparent t that when *the "swab isjpullegdupwardly, water Vwillfrnshi' Y downwardlyj through the ftnbular melnbers'Sin'to the-1' in theperforations offtheyvellcasing,thusjlooseningltbismateriallr; The water'willr be forced under pressure radi-` Y allyoutwardly throughthe lwell casing openings 12,',Vandf due tothe 'factthattthejperiphrall edgesofthe}swab elementsare onlyslightly'irspacedfromQthewelleasing. 1 Y o. f Yrzoid YY'upward.1i-movement A of 'the -swatipcrreates.fsubatniosi f phericgpressurebeneath .thertjlowerm'ost swab elementY l245V i Iheretqre, ,water"forced radially nubi/ardlyv-'t11`ro11fg11-v Poemes-riferiti@ was@risen-e be t openings 12 will tend to circulate downwardly and backinto the well casing beneath the swab, carrying with it Aline materialswhich have tended to clog the surrounding well. formation. Any tendencyfor encrusted openings 12 to resist radially outward flow of water, orany such resistance occurring through the packing of ne sands outwardlyof any of the chambers 41, will greatly increase the pressure in suchchamber, causing the expansion thereof due to movement of at least oneadjacent swab element against the tension of at least one of 4thesprings 32. The swab element tends to return to its normal position,thus maintaining a flushing pressure in the chamber to ltend to loosenthe material which is resisting circulation of the water through thewel] casing openings 12.

Attention also is invited to the fact that during such rapid upwardmovement of the swab, the valve 46 closes while the sleeve 50 will be inits lowermost position closing the openings 47. Thus the water rushingdownwardly into the interior of the swab body 14 is prevented fromflowing from the bottom of such body, and the water pressure is thusutilized to the maximum extent to break through resisting formations-which have prevented a free ow of water into the well.

To explain somewhat more fully the operation of the springs 32 and theislidable swab elements, attention is invited -to the fact that thesprings serve as jars in the event a large slug of sand or the likecomes into the well casing, tending to cause the swab to become stuck.In such case, upon upward movement of the swab, the jamming of one ofthe swab elements 22 would tend to prevent such element from movingupwardly. The vspring beneath such swab element thus will be compressedand loaded and the force thus generated in the spring, when the loadingthereof is suicient for such purpose, moves the jammed swab element 22upwardly to dislodge the lslug of mud or sand which has caused thejamming action. In the second place, assuming for example that upon therapid upward movement of the swab, passage of water from the uppermostchamber 41 is resisted by incrustations in the openings 12 which it ispassing, such chamber will expand causing downward movement of the nextlower swab element. This increases the pressure of the water in the nextlower chamber 41, rendering this water more effective as the swab movesupwardly to dislodge incrustations or the like which have previouslycaused the upper chamber 41 to expand.

'lhe rapid lifting of the swab, the sudden stopping and then dropping ofthe swab, in the continuous repetition of such steps, provides a highlyeffective cleaning action. During rapid lifting of the swab, the water,due to its inertia, moves downwardly relative to the swab at 4relativelyhigh speed, through tubes 35 and outwardly through openings 49 into thechambers 41 thence through the casing openings 12 into the surroundingformation. Then, as the lowermost swab element 24 passes successivecasing openings 12, the partial vacuum existing below the swab element24 jerks into the well casing any incrustation that may have beenpartially loosened in the openings 12. This results in what may betermed a high frequency respiratory action, and by virtue of extremepressures applied to the well casing perforations and to the wellformations, the action breaks loose any incrusted formations or thepacking of fine sand which has interfered with the flowing of the waterinto the well. The circulatory action is assisted by the partial vacuumbeneath the lowermost swab element, whereby water forced outwardlybetween the swab elements flows downwardly into the bottom of the well,causing line sands and the like to iiow into the bottom of the well tocollect therein. This action opens the interstices of the surroundingwell formations to facilitate the ow of water into the well. Thecollected sands can be removed periodically or after the operation ofthe swab by the use of a conventional sand pump. v

The basket devices in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive, can be provided for theuse of any chemicals or other materials for chemically or mechanicallyassisting the operation of the swab. For example, Dry Ice may be used inone or more baskets 5S in the operation of the device. The carbondioxide gas and surrounding water will form carbonio acid suicientlystrong to dissolve, loosen and remove various types of incrustations,facilitated by the normal circulatory and water pressure operation whichoccurs through the use of the apparatus as described above.

Regardless of the use of chemicals or other materials, it has been foundthat the repetitions up and down movement of the apparatus and thefunctioning following its operation affords no opportunity for anyrelodging of sand or sediment in the surrounding formation or in thewell casing openings. Large volumes of water will be propelled at highvelocity through the well casing perforations to accomplish the resultsstated, and the device is strictly a wire line tool. The swab has nosurrounding casing except the well casing itself which is utilized inthe operation of the swab combination and the only valve employed in theswab is the lower valve 46 which automatically closes when the swab iselevated and opens when the swab is lowered for the relatively free flowof water upwardly through the swab body.

The operation of the form of the device shown in Figure 8 will beidentical with that described above. The tubular body 78 will beprovided beneath the cup 83 with the series of swab elements asdescribed above, these elements being identical with the elements 21 to24 inclusive, except that they are of such size as to render thempracticable for use in a smaller well. Instead of the tubular waterinlets 35, the form of the invention shown in Figure 8 minimizes theoverall diameter` of the swab by providing the water inlet openings 82.Therefore, the

device is highly practicable for use in wells of various well casingdiameters. The valve 46 of course, also will be used with the modifiedtype of swab body, and in both cases, the hammer member 48 will insurethe seating of the valve 46.

While the invention has been particularly described in its use inconnection with water wells, it is also highly useful in thedevelopmentV of oil wells. Experimentation has indicated its usefulnessin cleaning oil wells in connection with the practice of applying aspecial sand to the well bore and formation and then forcing the sandback into crevices by extremely high pressure. This process is completedby recleaning the well and removing all surplus sand.

The construction illustrated embodies the invention in a preferred form,but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather thandefinitive. The invention is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A well swab structure comprising a tubular stem, a plurality ofresilient disc-like swab elements surrounding said stem and axiallyslidable with respect thereto, and resilient means supporting saidelements in normally predetermined spaced relation along said stem, saidstem having an opening for the introduction of liquid thereinto andprovided with openings for the passage of such liquid into the spacesbetween said elements. f

2. A well swab structure comprising a tubular stem, a plurality of pairsof resilient disc-like swab elements surrounding said stem and spacedtherealong, a rigid disc above the uppermost element fixed to said stemto limit upward movement thereof, means carried by said stem beneath thelowermost element to limit downward movement thereof, the remaining swabelements being axially slidable along said stem, and springs arrangedbetween adjacent pairs of swab elements to resiliently maintain them inpredetermined normal spaced relationship to each other, said stem havingan opening for the introduction of liquidV into the upper'end thereofand being provided elements,`

wirhsngemirgsifarifthssfibwenrsnaaiigniniinionnegspaes 1between,said:elenients:4 Y

. )Snihwellc swabr; structurel Vcompiising a: tubulargbbdir, japlurality Yoitresilientdiscslikeesvvabr;elements surroimdel;y

ing?.` said: .body Y in;` axially; spaced relation; therealongg; a. Ych'emicalcontain'er lianlingza. bottomseated :onzone of.isaid.elementsaand opens at its top;y .andiaspring `arranged` be2Vtweennthelernents.oeacktiadjacent pairtoiendtomainf Y therminipredetermined.; spacecl-irelation, one. of: saick,

springsseating .afgainstsaidbottomt of said gchemicalzcon.-

. 4-LL .well swabf. structure'.- cornpri'sing a.; tubular. body,

' connecting-means -at thefrupper-.ends of saircl'bodyy for conf.l

nectinff it` tolai-.mechanismto raiseaand' lower; said body Ywithing.atwell` casing; la plurality "ofi pairs of: resilienbdisclikeswabl elementssurroundingiandiaxially slidable. along Y saidV body? 'andarrangedinf normal positionsjspaced 'from each; other,said`bodyfb'eingpr'o videdv above Ythe uppermost:

dista-'likefelenientandfbelowfsaid oonnectingmeans withriliquidlinletiportsithrough which liquid; mayrilow downwardlyfintoV'sait'btubular body,V said body: being further Yprovidecllwith.,lateraloutlet-.openingsbetweenV eleinents ofvjadjacent.pairsoisaid swab'elements, and springs ,sur-

n roundingsaidl body 'between adjacent swab elements to' Vbias themztoVsaidnormalpositions'fronrwhich they are` Y movable axially along! saidlbody' under the'inuence of liquid:v pressures in tne: spacesbetweenjs'aid'swaby elements.

.5L A1 well: swabstructrei comprising..aiv tubular bod'y,..VV

Vconnecting.:meains. at;theffupper'encly of saidLbody forconnectinglit-{to a.:'rriechanism to :raise and lower' said "bodyv'fitljiin;a-,1well casing; a plurality Voffpairs of're'silient Ydisc-'likef swab elements',y and means supporting saidV peleaVment'sfwithgrespecttolsaid body at vpredetermined fspaced Ypoints;'f'thex'ealong` said body being provided Yabovefthe uppermostVswab.` elemen'trandA below; said connecting means Awitlrliquidinlet'porrts through Ywhich liquid may owdownwardly intossaidftuhularbody, said body being further; provided l*with lateralfoutletV openingsbetween adjacentpairrs of saiclelements, said. supporting means Ycomprising Yrigidzdiscs,arranged above and below each of.` saidresilientrswab elements, the upper of such rigid discsVbeing;'offsmallerdiameter than the: lower of such discs Y wherebyeaoliresilient` element' at its periphery Vis Yde. forrnahle tota: greater.vextent upwardly' than downwardly..

Y adaptedoninsertion ina wel]v casingeand having means i at; its upperend vforconnectingl itto a .vertical reciprovcatingriieaus;for movingsaid body' upwardly and downwardly-inrthwell' casing; a plurality ofresilientY disc.

. like swabV elements surrounding land axially movable along said bodyfand normally spaced fromeach otheig.

' spaced .relation with, eachjo'ther.-` to:l definevvitll4 said ybody jsaidbody; above.. the* uppermostv resilient element havin g Y.

" liquidzinlet'passages forlthe flow of liquid from thelin-f terior ofthe. well casing intosaidgbody, said body having jlateral outletopeningsY Yfor Ythe owofliquid from; the interiorAoffsaidbody.tothefspaces between said swab ele-- ments;Vresilientri-means'. tendingv toV maintain said; resilient` 'Y Yelementsinfrpredetermined i spaced relation" along. saidf YYbody;and,l'an;upwardly opgening check valvey carried by body below thelowermostelement for. allowingtheVv Youofliquidgupwardly'Ythrough'saidrbody when thelatter 't isl'oweredfintothetwlellf."iyV .'1 5 Y 7. A well swab s'tructureeconiprising tubularbody ..adaptedior'insertionin awell casingY and having means atjitsf'upper! end for. connecting it'. to Yverticalreciprocatfjingerneansrior'movingwsaid body upwardly andtdoyvn-K'VWiardlyli` the YVWelleasing, VaV plurality of disc-like swab"Vleansfpsupporting Vsaid Velements'on said bodyYV Y Y atispaeed''pointsthefealngr VsaidgbordyY above theV upperno' element haringVwater inlet pass ages for Vthe owY of om; the`inteiior'of'the'well-casinginto said; body,`

' swabelementsi t0 prdetermindi positions transf hiel .6o

idboy havingflateral'onnempenmgafor the saw ff to. the spaces .forthegzflQ the;latter'isgloweredvinto the; well; saidlfcyalyezhousing:

oper'iings cotmnunicating; between.: the'interiorfis 301 andsain-Landi:havingflateal ds'sharseopsmngs, vswab,elements:Heinemannmovable ailing vrdane :withlvatationstm pressuresi111V saidV diamv formation into .the-wellcas'rrg swab-strucnirecbni. Y

Vp risingf-a tubular: bodyr having.;means'A at. its, ,tulpeneiid..V

"said-V well casing` a plurality of. chambers; seiidsvvk f. mentsrhaving y clearance` withrespectv to theywellf :Said-body beinaprev-ids.-itubnlar bodyfand'f said -br f*bragging@laterk 7@ by; valv.r`seagsandsaniupwardly @neming checle valveV by; aidrvalre hnusing below;the lowermostzswabfelemenr Y hayirigf..an:.uppet;end.limitingdovvnwardnrdvementfofz tlleflovvzerrrlostzsvvab:elementiV j f. 8i:Afdevicesinsaccordancewith claim. 'Zwherein'tsaidilV valveihousingiabnveVsaidLvalfveseatis provided with 'radialiv valve` housing'andthe;Ainterior of: the. well casing; Y and l allirlrx'ati:.'cont'rolleclfsleevevalvesurroundingsaid-valvehouseV L Y Vingand'rnovable 'downwardlylto closesuclropeningewlien? saidhousingiY isrri'oved.;upwardly,4V and movable upwardly'tofuncovensuchopenings'whensaid'housirigniovesjdowm Y i tubul-'a-rbodylr yingfmeanslatits'uppergend for;colniefrtirig)- iti'oaraisingandilwering*mechanisniyaplralityjo y Y ele'rnents carriedby''saidfbodyfinispacedfrelationwithVV eacho'tlerftodeneswithsaidgbodyjand saidwell" asing al j clearance withYV'respect-1` to* the-Welljl casingjrfsaidjbody' 1 fbeingfproyidedabovethe uppermost' svvab elerri'ent, 'l'ipV inletrneansfor'theow oflriquildf into'gsaidf l tubjq opening upwardly forallowing .the .bWQfll Y thelwell. into said.Y body fwhen the ltterino,:sdbivnsVY Wardlyl. j .Y .m 1 ()IY In combination with a.` wellcasingginop K position in fthe. `groundandfprovidedy with liquidopeningsv forVftheV flow. of liquid-- froid the; surroun gl Y for Vconnecting .itfto., a Yraisingfand' y loweringiinechanismzl aV plurality of swabYelerrients'V carried by said b and saicf well V'casinga npluralityof;cliambersgsaidswabY eiementshaving clearance withrrespecttofthewellcasi gusaid bordybeingV provided above. ther'ruppe Yrnost welement/Withy n inlet'vmeans forY theilov'v` `ofY liqiiild.-tubular-bodyVY and: saidjbody having-klateral. p Openinssfof.- the-Howf-lauiifwm Vsail baldvip sai.

disc-like.- structure and provided above-its upper/.face n i i Y below?.itsflgwerfface withrigid Washersjandia; coil spi; in eaehV chambersurrounding said.;bodyandb1a there@ axially movable :aaairist thecomp.fessieret` Springer.' Y' Y ll; 11n'. combination; AWitl'iz-aiVWellf casitrll'g-S in Op'atyerj positionfin itheground-fandprovidedvithfliqnidinilux; openings Vfor the owi'ofzliquidifromzthexsurroundingf I formation :intestine-well leasing; .ai swab''structure'A compris. ingaf tub. i" body.; bavingfirnean at.itsrupperzend forLK connectingfjitfto ,aj raising fand; loweringYmeeliaiiisrrrf,a f

elinentivith inletrrnean ifo:V- elllen/.wf lig'uidiiitosai openin'gsfforthe lloyv "A zessen chambers, a tubular valve housing carried by saidbody beneath the lowermost swab element and provided with an upwardlyopening seat, an upwardly opening check valve engageable with said seat,said valve housing 'having lateral openings therethrough above saidvalve seat, and a tubular sleeve surrounding said valve housing operableto open and close said lateral openings and having a float at its upperend.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS BoyntonNov. 19, 1940 Rice July 29, 1941 Hall Jan. 1, 1946 Johnson June 24, 1952

